Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Sedins don't know who linemate will be
Canadian Press
9/17/2006 5:32:19 PM
VERNON, B.C. (CP) - For years they were criticized, questioned and even mocked.
Daniel and Henrik Sedin finally played up to their promise and had their best NHL seasons last year. Both had career highs in goals, assists and points on a Vancouver Canucks team that failed to make the playoffs.
The Swedish twins, who turn 26 later this month, want to improve on those numbers this year, and get the Canucks back into the playoffs. But like everyone else they have no idea who will be the other winger on Vancouver's second line after free-agent Anson Carter signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"If we get the right person you'll notice right away," left-winger and trigger man Daniel said about breaking in a new linemate. "It could be tough, it could be very easy too."
Centre Henrik, the setup man, didn't want to dwell on the loss of Carter.
"It's part of the business we are in," he said. "With the new salary cap it's tough to sign all the players you want to. You can't control it."
One candidate for the Sedin line is Jan Bulis, signed as a free agent in the off-season. The six-foot, 190-pound Czech scored 20 goals in 73 games for the Montreal Canadiens last year while spending most of his time on the third line.
"For sure I wouldn't mind that," said Bulis, who signed for US$1.3 million. "They are offensive guys. I've been looking for that. I was mostly a defensive guy in Montreal.
"I scored 20 goals last year and didn't see hardly any power-play time. Hopefully with the chance here in Vancouver I can get 20 plus."
Daniel, who had 22 goals and 49 assists last year, said Bulis could be a good fit.
"He's a good skater with skill," said Daniel. "He has it all.
"He is the kind of player that can fit in anywhere. He can play on the first line, he can also be second. He's one of those guys who are really important to your team. He's a better hockey player than most people think."
A crowd of over 3,600 jammed into the Vernon arena Sunday to watch the Canucks scrimmage. Veterans like Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison, Trevor Linden and the Sedins sat out the controlled game.
Chris Ray, who played for the WHL's Kelowna Rockets last year, scored the game's lone goal for the white team. The only other excitement was a brief fight between veteran Canuck antagonist Matt Cooke and Nathan Smith, who spent most of last season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.
Juraj Simek, a 19-year-old forward from Sweden, left the game with a shoulder injury that will keep him sidelined for 10 days.
Bulis, 28, chafed playing under Montreal coach and general manager Bob Gainey last year. He felt like a thoroughbred being hitched to a wagon.
"I was looking for some offence," said Bulis, who had a four-goal game. "I had a talk with Bob Gainey but he just didn't see it coming. He just wanted me to play like a third-line guy.
"He sat me out a couple of times (then) I would come back and score goals. He never gave me any reasons."
Much had been expected of the Sedins ever since the Canucks made the brothers the second and third picks overall in the 1999 draft.
It took the pair several years to grow and develop into the NHL game. Vancouver fans and media weren't always patient and the twins were sometimes dubbed "the Sisters."
Last year the brothers combined for 40 goals and 106 assists. Henrik led the team with 57 assists and was second in scoring with 75 points.
"We always knew we were good players," said Daniel. "We wanted to show ourselves that we could play here. That was the main thing. It was good for our confidence."
In Carter, the Sedins seemed to find the linemate they were looking for. He quickly learned to get into the open spot and wait for the puck, or stand in front of the net and bang home a rebound.
Carter led the Canucks with a career-high 33 goals but couldn't agree to a new contract with Vancouver GM Dave Nonis. He turned down the Canucks offer of US$3.6 million over two years and signed a one-year, US$2.5-million deal with Columbus.
Bulis thinks he can fill Carter's skates.
"I don't mind playing in front of the net," he said. "Most of the goals I scored are like that, rebounds and tips. I like that kind of work."
Scoring goals could be tough for the Canucks this season. With Carter, Todd Bertuzzi and Ed Jovanovski all gone, Vancouver has given up a lot of offence.
The Sedins know it could fall to them to pick up the slack.
"We have to get better every year," said Daniel. "It we want to be better we have to take another step.
"That means more points."
Canadian Press
9/17/2006 5:32:19 PM
VERNON, B.C. (CP) - For years they were criticized, questioned and even mocked.
Daniel and Henrik Sedin finally played up to their promise and had their best NHL seasons last year. Both had career highs in goals, assists and points on a Vancouver Canucks team that failed to make the playoffs.
The Swedish twins, who turn 26 later this month, want to improve on those numbers this year, and get the Canucks back into the playoffs. But like everyone else they have no idea who will be the other winger on Vancouver's second line after free-agent Anson Carter signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"If we get the right person you'll notice right away," left-winger and trigger man Daniel said about breaking in a new linemate. "It could be tough, it could be very easy too."
Centre Henrik, the setup man, didn't want to dwell on the loss of Carter.
"It's part of the business we are in," he said. "With the new salary cap it's tough to sign all the players you want to. You can't control it."
One candidate for the Sedin line is Jan Bulis, signed as a free agent in the off-season. The six-foot, 190-pound Czech scored 20 goals in 73 games for the Montreal Canadiens last year while spending most of his time on the third line.
"For sure I wouldn't mind that," said Bulis, who signed for US$1.3 million. "They are offensive guys. I've been looking for that. I was mostly a defensive guy in Montreal.
"I scored 20 goals last year and didn't see hardly any power-play time. Hopefully with the chance here in Vancouver I can get 20 plus."
Daniel, who had 22 goals and 49 assists last year, said Bulis could be a good fit.
"He's a good skater with skill," said Daniel. "He has it all.
"He is the kind of player that can fit in anywhere. He can play on the first line, he can also be second. He's one of those guys who are really important to your team. He's a better hockey player than most people think."
A crowd of over 3,600 jammed into the Vernon arena Sunday to watch the Canucks scrimmage. Veterans like Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison, Trevor Linden and the Sedins sat out the controlled game.
Chris Ray, who played for the WHL's Kelowna Rockets last year, scored the game's lone goal for the white team. The only other excitement was a brief fight between veteran Canuck antagonist Matt Cooke and Nathan Smith, who spent most of last season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose.
Juraj Simek, a 19-year-old forward from Sweden, left the game with a shoulder injury that will keep him sidelined for 10 days.
Bulis, 28, chafed playing under Montreal coach and general manager Bob Gainey last year. He felt like a thoroughbred being hitched to a wagon.
"I was looking for some offence," said Bulis, who had a four-goal game. "I had a talk with Bob Gainey but he just didn't see it coming. He just wanted me to play like a third-line guy.
"He sat me out a couple of times (then) I would come back and score goals. He never gave me any reasons."
Much had been expected of the Sedins ever since the Canucks made the brothers the second and third picks overall in the 1999 draft.
It took the pair several years to grow and develop into the NHL game. Vancouver fans and media weren't always patient and the twins were sometimes dubbed "the Sisters."
Last year the brothers combined for 40 goals and 106 assists. Henrik led the team with 57 assists and was second in scoring with 75 points.
"We always knew we were good players," said Daniel. "We wanted to show ourselves that we could play here. That was the main thing. It was good for our confidence."
In Carter, the Sedins seemed to find the linemate they were looking for. He quickly learned to get into the open spot and wait for the puck, or stand in front of the net and bang home a rebound.
Carter led the Canucks with a career-high 33 goals but couldn't agree to a new contract with Vancouver GM Dave Nonis. He turned down the Canucks offer of US$3.6 million over two years and signed a one-year, US$2.5-million deal with Columbus.
Bulis thinks he can fill Carter's skates.
"I don't mind playing in front of the net," he said. "Most of the goals I scored are like that, rebounds and tips. I like that kind of work."
Scoring goals could be tough for the Canucks this season. With Carter, Todd Bertuzzi and Ed Jovanovski all gone, Vancouver has given up a lot of offence.
The Sedins know it could fall to them to pick up the slack.
"We have to get better every year," said Daniel. "It we want to be better we have to take another step.
"That means more points."
